Today's News

There I was, sitting at a folding table, enjoying a delicious barbecue sandwich, some coleslaw and a pile of baked beans at the recent Elgin Volunteer Fire Department barbecue, when I heard the phrase for the first time.

A lot has been said about why the University of South Carolina at Lancaster should not be closed. As a current student and intern in the school’s Native American studies archive, I would like to add another reason.

The S.C. Department of Agriculture is coming to the aid of area farmers looking to sell produce. The department, through its S.C. Certified Program, is giving farmers a boost with farm product stands – produce stands.

The stands were made available to counties, that meet two criteria set by the S.C. Department of Revenue.

The county must be considered distressed, with a high unemployment rate and a low per-capita income.

I am writing in regard to the comments that Doug Barfield made about the temporary courthouse. If the temporary courthouse is so secure and much better than the old one then why not leave well enough alone.

There is no sense in spending $33 million on a new courthouse when the temporary one seems to be serving the same purpose and cost much less than $33 million.

I think the people of Lancaster have a right to state their opinion on the subject since we, as the people, are going to be paying for the new courthouse.

Several years ago, I made some talks for the S.C. Bar Association foundation in which I supported the concept of the rule of law in this country. I believed then, as I do now, that all of us should adhere to the law as it has been developed through the years, realizing that from time to time it can be amended or expanded to meet new contingencies. This is the way of a civilized nation.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for the work and the lives saved by our Lancaster volunteer fire departments and local rescue squad. However, about 6 p.m. March 24, a solicitor for the rescue squad came to my door asking for donations in exchange for a family portrait.

I sent our photographer, Aaron Morrison, to the Lancaster County Courthouse on Monday night to shoot photos of local firefighters signing their names on the trusses that were put up for the new roof of the historic building this week.

Fred Thomas, Lancaster County Council chairman, apologized at the beginning of County Council meeting Monday night.

”There are times when our best intentions don’t materialize,” Thomas said. “I apologize to anyone who was embarrassed, anyone made to feel uncomfortable, or anyone who felt their government was not doing its job.

“I’m especially sorry to Sen. Mulvaney. I want to make sure everyone knows their trust was not misplaced.”